Learning that one is under criminal investigation can be a watershed moment in a person’s life that can cause considerable stress and uncertainty. For some, learning they are under criminal investigation can serve as a wake-up call to problems that may now feel entirely overwhelming, and may leave people wondering if it’s too late to get treatment.
It is critical to know that it is never too late to seek treatment, and support is available. Recognizing your mental health needs while under a criminal investigation is crucial, and treatment can help equip you with the skills and insight needed to begin making positive change in your life while also better managing the stress that can come with going through a legal proceeding.
Legal Proceedings can be Stressful, and can Impact your Mental Well-Being
Being the subject of a criminal investigation can be a highly stressful and isolating experience. People under investigation often struggle with anxiety and stress related to uncertainty about the outcome of their case, the financial burden of a legal defence, the consequences of the case’s outcome, the reactions of friends and family, attending court dates, navigating the legal system, and working with attorneys. All of these pressures can result in significant anxiety, stress, and even depression.
For some, the stress of being under investigation can also exacerbate pre-existing mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, traumatic stress, interpersonal conflict, sleep problems, and substance use. People may also find that their ability to cope with the stress of being under investigation seems to wear down over time, and they may find themselves resorting to unhealthy coping mechanisms. In some cases, people may come to realize that there is a relationship between what prompted the investigation and their current difficulty coping with the stress the investigation brings.
All of these overlapping challenges can leave people feeling helpless and hopeless, but support is available, and it is never too late for treatment.
How Mental Health Professionals Can Assist You During a Criminal Investigation
If you find yourself under investigation and wanting support in making positive change, working with a clinical psychologist can help. Interventions might focus on addressing the behaviours that prompted the investigation, learning to cope healthily and effectively with the stress related to the investigation, and working through many of the common emotions that criminal investigations can provoke (e.g., shame, embarrassment, fear).
For many, the experience of being under criminal investigation is a turning-point event that can bring into focus some of the problems in a person’s life that have been unaddressed, sometimes for long periods of time. It can also serve to shed light on the seriousness of some of those problems and the need for support in effectively addressing them. For many, this can be an overwhelming realization. The good news is that professional help is available.
At Eagle Landing Psychological Services, clients will find a team of expert clinicians with experience working with people in all stages of the criminal justice process. Our team of licensed psychologists work to create a professional, non-judgmental, and confidential environment where clients can receive the support they need in addressing the behavioural and psychological problems that prompted the investigation, building skills for coping effectively with the stress of an investigation, and developing the insights critical for making positive change.
